Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Sleep Disorders in Females With Fibromyalgia
The Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Sleep Disorders in Females With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Cairo University
60 participants
Jun 3, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on pain and sleep disorders in Egyptian female patients with fibromyalgia. Sixty female participants aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with fibromyalgia will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. The control group will receive conventional physical therapy, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), while the experimental group will receive the same treatment in addition to foot reflexology. Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Pain, sleep quality, psychological distress, and functional activity will be evaluated at baseline and after treatment using validated Arabic assessment tools and pressure pain threshold measurements. The study aims to determine whether reflexology provides additional benefits when combined with conventional physical therapy in women with fibromyalgia.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
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Interventions
Foot reflexology will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. Moderate thumb and finger pressure will be applied bilaterally to standardized foot reflex zones associated with fibromyalgia symptom management.
Conventional physical therapy includes aerobic exercise, stretching, and low-load resistance training administered twice weekly for six weeks. Exercise programs will be individualized and progressively adjusted according to participant tolerance.
High-frequency TENS will be administered twice weekly for six weeks using conventional settings for pain management in fibromyalgia participants.
Locations(1)
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NCT07614945